New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-21
AN AFFiTR or HONOR

III is painfully evident InnL lne present Crlsls
in the strained relations which have existed for
year between General J. Floyd King and Mr. Cuth-
bert tullitt Jonc, cannot but terminate in civil
Zach Is a true SOuthron reared in the shade OF
the proud palmetto in lands where both honor and
sorghum are indigenous. and where the soil is too
rich for the pumpkin To thrive. for the ines grow
so fast they wear the pumpkins out dragging them
over the ground. The slightest affrOnt there sig
nfcs on the part OF its giyer willingness to die
| A word. n look. misplaced smilc-thcsc are each
cause enough for massacre In the tropical parish
which proudly claims the triculent general, and
on the bayou where first the ruthless Cuthbert
smiled ulon the moon.
or tho casus belli il Is unnecessary to speak
Whether the Hon. Mr. Cuthbcrt Bullitt Jones
artlcssly expressed any DarSinian theories regard
ing General Floyd King. whether the General
in hts boisterous. military way invaded what Mr..
Jones could rightfully consider his private en-
trcnchmcn's Is neither here nor there. Suffice 10
to say that ono day last spring the country rccled
beneath tho shock OF the announcement that
Cuthbcrt was looking for Floyd with blood in his
eye. and that Floyd was simultaneously looking
| for Cuthbcrt-a mutual search which knew no rest
until il eliminated in tho historic meeting in the
barber shop OF Wizards Hotel last Tuesday
evening.
That the ribad criticisms which have been passed
upon THIS meeting are suallOW ana DOT1 OF IRnO-
rance OF tho ways OF houorit is due both gentlemen
to demonstrate 1t has boon alleged. for example,.
that General Kings fierce desire to 500 Mr.. Jones.
and Mr.. Joncs's burning wish to meet General King.
both being IN Washington, should have led to
encounter within twenty -four hours and that its
post ponement for year Is proof OF q lack OF
either interest or industry. This Is not true.
There are five hotels and two restaurants IN
Washington. in the Businesses Of which n Con-
gresham might DO sccrcted. In the House
of Representatives itself almost any men,
Der from Louisiana might Turk for days
perhaps unseen and certainly unheard: down
either side Of Ponnsylvania-ave pains
taking and athletic Representative might
battle ven oful pursuer ere are hordcs bob
tailed cars AID hansons all capable Of ambushiug
little man with big gun there streets and
avopues running crlss-oross and at tangents
aflording superb opportunities for q foot race at
high speed there nnumerabo other facilities
OF which either General King or Mr.
Jones could have avallod him elf and
continued the search indefinitely. At first glance
IT might appear that Mr.. Jonos took an unfair nd
vantage IN swOoping upon tho General while the
latter stretched in that cataleptic swoon which
is inevitable 10 oven the strongest of men
IN O Washington barber shop. But the facts show
that no was aciuated by the highest and purest
OF motives. The code OF honor expressly stlpuia
that combatants shall DO placed on equal footing
Mr.. Jones weighs at least sixty pounds less than
the General; hence IL necessary, 10 comply with
tho code. that Mr. Jones should refrain from AN AS
sault until some moment when tho General was
arlihciay enteebled IL Is TO be hoped this OK |
PLANTATION will DO satisfactory.
A duel must necessarily follow Article 90 of |
tho Code of Honor expressly declares that when |
one gentleman violently acoosts another gentleman |
in o tonsoraI parlor. chivves his chin. muses. his
hair. Impugns his credit, jumps up aud down.
knocks his heels together. and becomes uproari-
ously abusive. tho second gentleman is jusu-
fed in assuming that the matter is
personal, and in demanding Of the first gentleman
IA much OF his blood as no may consider necessary
10 cleanse his furnished honor. his beng tho ex-
plict language Of the code. 1t is dHicult to con-
ceIve Of an amicable adjustment. OF course
If il merely case of a blood
thirsty braggart and ru0ian seeking to
create an to assassinate q timId rival, the
police might properly IN terfere and place the Of
fender under The refrgoratIng influences of jail
but whom Two disingu shed aud fire-eating mem
hers from tho South have 10 publicly expressed
their mutual hunger for trouble it would he both
Inbred and nconsderae to place tho slightest bar.
rIer in their way.